Chuks - Full Stack Pathway

FIRST ASSESSMENT 16/06/2020

1. An Overview of Things Learned

Technical Area:

  • HTML: I learnt how to work better with the “nav, section and div” elements
  • CSS: I learnt more on how flex box and grid works with the aid of the link provided by our team lead https://www.geeksforgeeks.org
  • Ruby: I learnt the basics of Ruby such as syntax, output, comments, interpolation, string, arrays, methods etc. I equally learned how to install Ruby on Windows OS and Mac OS.
  • PostgreSQL: I learned how to set up PSQL and creating a table in PSQL, insert values, and delete a table

Tools:

  • I learnt how to use Google Chat or access G-Chat from my mentorchains account.
  • I learned how to use Google Meet.
  • In Slack App. I learned how to interact with my team members via direct messaging as well as how to check updates on different channels.
  • I learnt how to use Asana, a project management tool

Soft Skills:

  • Time Management: like goal setting, planning, decision making, focus and delegation.
  • Creativity: design, imagination and inspiration.
  • Adaptability.
  • Patience.

2. Three Achievement Highlights

  • Successful completion of the webpage layout design task
  • Completion of mini Ruby and PostgreSQL task.
  • Finally installed discourse on my local machine after series of failures.

3. Meeting/training Attendance

  • Week 1: Missed 1 meeting out of 5 meetings.
  • Week 2: Missed 1 meeting out of 2 meetings.
  • Week 3: Discourse Demo meeting; was present.

4. Goals For this Week

  • To get deeper knowledge on Ruby language and Ember.js
  • Complete few undone tasks and to catch up with the newly assigned ones.

5. Details of Tasks done and Hurdles Faced

    Mini Ruby and PostgreSQL Task:

  • I was able to set up Ruby environment.
  • Created method and loop
  • I was able to set up Set up PostgreSQL.
  • i was able to create a table
  • Hurdles Faced:

  • I was scared to start the task in the first instance because it was my first time to work with back-end language
  • Solution:

  • Google Search Engine, YouTube And resources provided for us.
  • The Webpage Layout Task:

  • Change Background Color
  • Top navigation bar
  • Side bar navigation
  • 3 columns with rounded blocks edges
  • Hurdles Faced:

  • I got Stuck while trying to style the flex container that contains the rounded block edges, like, I was "stuck like Chuck". I tried to make it responsive using flex-box property called "flex-wrap", but failed because I used FIXED WIDTH on the flex container and it prevented the flex items (rounded blocks edges) from wrapping.
  • Solution:

  • Reference to previous layout designs I did, after I had tried to debug it using Mozilla Fire Fox developer's tool.
  • The Git Task:

  • In progress...

SECOND ASSESSMENT 23/06/2020

1. An Overview of Things Learned

Technical Area:

  • Ember.Js: I learned components, templates, and routes.

Tools:

  • I learned how to clone discourse plugins from git repository to local discourse instance

Soft Skills:

  • I learned couples of industry skills from our team lead.

2. Achievement Highlights

  • I was able to finish arrears tasks
  • Successfully cloned discourse plugins into my local discourse instance
  • Completed the goals I set for the week

3. Meeting/training Attendance

  • 19/06: Meeting with industry mentor, James on STEM-AWAY project
  • 20/06: AWS seminar with Parminder
  • 22/06: A meeting with Vrinda on industry skills
  • 23/06: UX and FS Team meeting alignment

4. Goals For this Week

  • Install discourse instance on AWS
  • To understand discourse plugins used on StemAway site and how it works
  • Go through learning resources

5. Details of Tasks done and Hurdles Faced

  • Cloning of discourse plugins into local discourse instance.
  • Hurdles Faced:

  • I didn't know how to clone plugins from git repository before
  • Solution:

  • Google search engine and help from my team members

THIRED ASSESSMENT 30/06/2020

1. An Overview of Things Learned

Technical Area:

  • Discourse: I learned how to create new plugin in local discourse instance.

Tools:

  • I learned how to use Firefox developer tool to find the elements and styles on the web page

Soft Skills:

  • Developed a better communication skills.

2. Achievement Highlights

  • I was able to finish reading the resources
  • Learned how discourse plugins used on STEM-AWAY site work

3. Meeting/training Attendance

  • 24/06: SCRUM Meeting
  • 25/06: Sub Group 3 meeting with Tam Nguyen on plugin development
  • 25/06: A Feedback meeting with Debaleena
  • 29/06:UX and FS Team collaboration meeting.

4. Goals For this Week

  • Get prepared for July session
  • Host office hours for new interns

5. Details of Tasks done and Hurdles Faced

  • Tried to figure out discourse plugins responsible for customization view
  • Hurdles Faced:

  • I was unable to figure out the actual code because I was new to discourse code base and it was to large for me
  • Solution:

  • Went through the webinar made by our industry mentor, James on the architecture of discourse code base

FINAL ASSESSMENT

1. A Summary of Things Learned

The STEM-AWAY internship was an eye opener for me. For the first time in my life I learnt about what is called project management tool and I was able to learn how to use Asana despite it was not user friendly. I equally learned how to make use of Google tools effectively. I learned how to use the discourse theme for development.
For the first time, I was exposed to back-end languages like Ruby, Rails (frame work), PostgreSQL and Redis. In the front-end aspect, I was able to familiarize myself with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Ember. I learned a bunch of soft skills from my team lead, @Vrinda_Jain. I equally developed some leadership skills.

2. Last Meetings Attendance

  • 07/01: SCRUM meeting
  • 07/03: Plugin development meeting

3. Final Remarks:

It was quite unfortunate that the nice projects we intend to do was not completed as the team was unable to meet up with the deadline of the session. Nevertheless, I still valued my stay in the internship. The experience I had was awesome and I believe that I have gotten the clue on the way forward as a self taught programmer to be. I must admit that my ability to lead my team in July session was the product of my experience in the June session. And I say huge thanks to Debaleena, Stephanie and the entire STEM-AWAY family for this awesome opportunity.